"I do not understand you, madame."
"What's that? Madame did not come home this morning at eight o'clock?
Dare you lie?"
"I was ill yesterday, and did not come down till nine this morning, in order to assist Georgette and Hebe help our young lady from the bath.I know nothing of what passed previously, I swear to you, madame."
"That alters the case.You must ferret out what I allude to from your companions.They don't distrust you, and will tell you all."
"Yes, madame."
"What has your mistress done this morning since you saw her?"
"Madame dictated a letter to Georgette for M.Norval, I requested permission to send it off, as a pretext for going out, and for writing down all I recollected."
"Very well.And this letter?"
"Jerome had to go out, and I gave it him to put in the post-office."
"Idiot!" exclaimed Mrs.Grivois: "couldn't you bring it to me?"
"But, as madame dictated it aloud to Georgette, as is her custom, I knew the contents of the letter; and I have written it in my notes."
"That's not the same thing.It is likely there was need to delay sending off this letter; the princess will be very much displeased."
"I thought I did right, madame."
"I know that it is not good will that fails you.For these six months I have been satisfied with you.But this time you have committed a very great mistake."
"Be indulgent, madame! what I do is sufficiently painful!" The girl stifled a sigh.
Mrs.Grivois looked fixedly at her, and said in a sardonic tone:
"Very well, my dear, do not continue it.If you have scruples, you are free.Go your way."
"You well know that I am not free, madame," said Florine, reddening; and with tears in her eyes she added: "I am dependent upon M.Rodin, who placed me here."